Snapshot Interview

What inspired you to be a teacher?

At school, I had some fantastic teachers, particularly a Geography teacher called Mr Parkes.  He made the subject so memorable and made school so much fun that I wanted to be able to inspire and enthuse young people as much as he did.

Tell us about your path into teaching:

I completed my degree at the University of Brighton at the School of Architecture and Design. Whilst studying, I worked on building sites and eventually began taking on jobs on my own. My passion remained with design and architecture, so I began working as a property developer and interior architect.  I had always wanted to try teaching in this field and when an opportunity came up at Bede’s School I entered as a TA and then began helping more and more in the DT and Art department, which really ignited my passion for teaching. I subsequently moved to London and completed my PGCE in Secondary Design Technology and have been teaching for the last 13 years.

What do you love most about teaching?

Every day is different. I spent 12 years in the state sector teaching 11–19 year olds in a school with 1400 pupils and now I am teaching DT to 8-13 year olds, along with history and football. This is the beauty of teaching and what I love most is that there is always something new round the corner.

What were you like at school?

I was very good at school, attended as many extra-curricular activities as possible and enjoyed performing in school productions and musical soirees. I had great relationships with all my teachers and friends right through school and even met my wife in Year 7 on the first day of school!

When you were younger, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I wanted to be a doctor or a racing driver

What’s the funniest moment you’ve had in a classroom?

I manage to lock myself in the DT store cupboard during an A Level lesson and was found 2 hours later when a boy in my class decided it was odd that there was a technician in class with them and no teacher…. Even more funny was that the technician didn’t notice either!

What’s the most important lesson you can teach?

Resilience…… The world has changed since I was at school and young people face new and tough decisions every day.  Building resilience in our pupils and instilling a sense of courage is so important.

What has been the proudest moment of your career so far?

One of my A-level students is now an architect. He messaged me a few years ago and said that I had inspired him in Year 10 to follow architecture and that if it weren’t for me he wouldn’t be doing the job he loved!

What are you most excited about at Marlborough House this term/year?

I’m excited about the students creating DT based products inspired by the School's 150^th Anniversary.

What makes Marlborough House such a special place to be?

Marlborough House is truly a unique school.  In the short time I have been here it is fantastic to see how much the students are engaged and want to learn. This is testament to the fantastic staff we have across the site that have made me feel so welcome and part of the furniture already.

Quick-fire questions

School House: Hawkings

Years at MHS: 1

Clubs: Football and Goblin Club

Unusual fact: I can play the viola and play Polo!

Highlight of my day: Collecting my youngest daughter from Nursery and my eldest daughter from Year 1 and hearing about their day.

The book I am reading: Jaws

Most memorable moment at MHS: My first Year 4 lesson